title: [From paroxysmal to chronic atrial fibrillation].
abstract: Chronic atrial fibrillation is by definition always preceded by paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The electropathophysiological mechanisms underlying paroxysmal atrial fibrillation are reviewed: atrial electrophysiological inhomogeneity, atrial ectopic activity, and cardiac autonomic dysfunction. Safe and effective interventions that prevent the progression from paroxysmal into chronic atrial fibrillation have not yet been developed. Such developments should be given high priority, as the consequences of chronic atrial fibrillation--stroke and heart failure--are unacceptable.
authors.affiliation: Arhus Universitetshospital, Arhus Amtssygehus, medicinsk-kardiologisk afdeling.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Frost
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lund
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Christiansen
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Husted
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans
vernacular_title: Fra paroksystisk til kronisk atrieflimren.